Rivers of ink tell the tale of Cabo de Hornos,
The Horn, The Cape, all in capital
letters. Silent witness of tragedies, victories and illusions. Modern
boats, strong rigging and weather forecast help present-day sailors to
round the infamous rock in relative tranquillity, especially jumping off
from Tierra del Fuego.
It is not such a big achievement any more. But let us not forget that
the way down here is long and tough, thousands of miles of rough waters,
contrary and shifting winds, faraway harbours. Far from the Trades and
their easy routes and following winds.

One prepares to the sight of Cabo de Hornos
day by day, until the black rock becomes a kind of familiar presence.
The Cape is not particularly scenic, the black cliff like millions of
similar ones. However, all lies in its peculiar position and in the deep
meaning that rocky pyramid hides. This barren and windswept rock is one
of the highest symbols of man's challenge to the unknown, his struggle
versus Nature, his search for himself.

For further information, refer
to INSIGHTS: Cabo de Hornos

Islas Wollaston
and Hermite

The South American continent ends with two
archipelagos, the Wollaston and the Hermite, both S of
Bahía Nassau. Isla Grevy, Bayly, Wollaston and
Freycinet form the first, while Isla Hermite, Herschel,
Deceit and Hornos the second.

The Low Countries, on the wake of
the achievements of their explorers Schouten and Le Maire,
decided to create a fleet of 11 ships, crewed by 1,600 men and armed
with 300 guns. Their aim was to conquer Peru
to stop the flow of wealth streaming to Spain from the overseas
colonies. Bad weather forced the expedition to seek shelter between the
islands south
of Bahía Nassau. One of these was named after the Commander in
Chief of the expedition, Jacobus L'Hermite, sailing on the
Admiral vessel
Amsterdam. Hermite
died in Callao
and his fleet was lost around Batavia.

Islas Wollaston
was named between 1829 and 1831 by the British Captain Henry Foster
to commemorate the British scholar Williams Hyde Wollaston
(1766-1826).The native name of the
Wollaston was Yachkusín, or "the place of Islands", while
Isla Hermite was Samajani.